Announcement

**Savoia** · 15th July 2015, 19:30

Originally posted by Rotorspot View Post

Hi everyone,

Just heard a rumour about a possible Gazelle crash (being a write-off) at Stapleford about 1 week ago. Haven't seen anything in the official circuits yet. Is this rumour correct?

Cheers,
Jos Stevens
www.rotorspot.nl

Well done Jos, this seems to have slipped through the net.

GAZ DOWN STAPLEFORD

Type: SA342J
ID: YU-HET (cn 1204)
Location: Stapleford Aerodrome, England
Date: 6th July 2015

An SA342J Gazelle, cn 1204, registration YU-HET, has crashed at Stapleford Aerodome in the United Kingdom on 6th July 2015.

Reports indicate that an aircraft mechanic was performing a post-maintenance ground run when the helicopter inadvertently became airborne, reaching a height of approximately 10ft, before crashing to the ground.

Substantial damage was sustained to the aircraft's undercarriage and tail boom.

Additional report: http://helihub.com/2015/07/06/06-jul...stapleford-uk/

Most company SOP's now preclude mechanics/engineers from performing ground runs, because there have been quite a few of these incidents over the years in various parts of the world.

You may see a photo of YU-HET on page 19.

**Savoia** · 15th July 2015, 21:06

Black Pete in Germany yesterday:

**Savoia** · 16th July 2015, 09:46

SA342J YU-HES (cn 1057) as seen at Halfpenny Green on 18th July 2013 (Photo: Simon Adams)

Ex-F-GOSO and N341NA among others.

**Savoia** · 16th July 2015, 10:19

GAZ DOWN: COUNTY LONGFORD, IRELAND

Type: SA341D
ID: G-BXTH (cn WA1120)
Location: Abbeyshrule, County Longford, Ireland
Date: 15th July 2015

Ex-RAF Westland Gazelle G-BXTH crashed last night in County Longford in the Republic of Ireland while trying to land in a confined area in the village of Abbeyshrule.

The helicopter was seen hovering for some 5 minutes prior to the crash, at one point attempting to land in an alternative location. The pilot eventually decided to land on a small strip of grass alongside a canal at the rear of the Rustic Inn, Abbeyshrule.

While in the final stages of the landing, the helicopter's main rotor struck the building, causing the Gazelle to immediately crash.

The two persons on board sustained only light injuries.

AN.

Crash site photos:

Additional reports:

http://www.rte.ie/news/2015/0715/715...icopter-crash/

https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp...ash-lands-pub/

http://www.rte.ie/news/2015/0716/715...r-abbeyshrule/

Additional photos here

**Zishelix** · 16th July 2015, 10:21

What? Another one down in just few days?!

**xbdt** · 16th July 2015, 11:14

Originally posted by Savoia
Initial unconfirmed reports suggest that this 'may' have been G-BXTH.

Looks like G-BXTH to me.

**Zishelix** · 16th July 2015, 11:56

G-BXTH, indeed... I doubt some of similarly painted Russian Gazelles were there at the time!

**Helipixman** · 16th July 2015, 16:04

G-BXTH

Here are some videos related to the crash:

Attempted landing before the crash:

The crash:

CCTV video footage

The video shows at the moment the rotors hit the pub the tail boom separates and ends up in the canal !

More crash photos here.

Another sad day in the Gazelle world - glad pilot and pax ok though.

G-BXTH in better days at Helitech, Duxford (Photo by Helipixman)

**Zishelix** · 17th July 2015, 08:38

Regarding G-BXTH, we have lost another lovely Gazelle because someone behaved like a .

!!!

A Special Tribute to SA.342J c/n 1204 YU-HET

This Gazelle crashed last Monday (See post #1231 above)

As F-GFDG at Courchevel January 13th, 1989.

Same registration, different livery at Lyon Bron Airport in June 12th, 1993 (Photo: Fabien Campillo)

Repainted F-GFDG at Manchester Barton in May 4th, 2003 (Photo: Phill Rawlins)

and finally as YU-HET at Stapleford Tawney in September 26th, 2005 (Photo by Helipixman

)

Sadly, I have no photo of the helicopter while it was registered TG-KOV (Guatemala) back in late 1970s

**Savoia** · 17th July 2015, 10:44

G-BXTH UPDATE

Irish air accident investigators take photos of G-BXTH at the Rustic Inn, Abbeyshrule, on 16th July 2015

An Irish air accident investigator takes photos of G-BXTH's interior at the Rustic Inn, Abbeyshrule, on 16th July 2015

G-BXTH is unceremoniously lifted by a tractor from its crash site at the Rustic Inn, Abbeyshrule, on 16th July 2015

G-BXTH is 'tractored' from its crash site at the Rustic Inn, Abbeyshrule, to the nearest road access, on 16th July 2015

G-BXTH is lowered onto a lorry nearby the Rustic Inn, Abbeyshrule, on 16th July 2015

**Helipixman** · 17th July 2015, 12:34

More F-GFDG.....

Two more photos of c/n 1204 F-GFDG

(Helipixman collection - photographer not known)
Note second Gazelle behind !

(Photo Helipixman collection)

**Helipixman** · 17th July 2015, 12:41

G-BXTH

According to newspaper reports the pilot of G-BXTH was arrested at Dublin Airport. His passenger has been named in reports as being a director of an aviation company at Abbeyshrule airfield which is very close to the crash site. Begs the question what was so important to try and land in a confined area. I would'nt even try and fly my large RC Helicopter through fear of it ending up in the canal.

**Savoia** · 17th July 2015, 12:50

I think the answer to your comment is probably best expressed as ..

x 100 !!

**Helipixman** · 17th July 2015, 12:59

Agreed Sav!

Re: c/n 1170 F-GEHE

This is the Gazelle behind F-GFDG..

(Helipixman collection - photographer not known)

Sadly crashed 21.3.97 at Montvendre at 08.30 am. On final approach pilot turned left but helicopter continued to yaw left 2-3 rotations and struck ground. Pilot aged 49 TT 1993 with 28 on type.

Wreck last noted at Chambery in 1999

**Savoia** · 19th July 2015, 10:15

Putting the Gaz to bed:

Zis, any clue as to which craft this could be?

**Zishelix** · 19th July 2015, 10:50

Originally posted by Savoia View Post

Zis, any clue as to which craft this could be?

N341SH, I'd say.

Btw, quite elegant way to ground handle a helicopter!

**md600driver** · 19th July 2015, 11:02

As that looked like Gazelle pilot Anthony Chan (who makes that mover) I would guess it's the ex-French Gazelle he normally flys. N342GZ a 342M.

**Zishelix** · 19th July 2015, 11:12

Originally posted by md600driver View Post

As that looked like gazelle pilot Anthony chan and he makes that mover I would guess it's the ex French gazelle that he normally flys. N342GZ a 342m

With all due respect, it's SA.341F on the video... beside, the registration is visible on her tail fin plate

**Helipixman** · 19th July 2015, 15:03

Looks like N341SH to me also.

N342GZ is registered to Universal Pacific Investment Corp. So is this company Anthony Chans or does he just fly the Gazelle for owner?

Anthony Chan has had N552T registered to him since 1.10.99

N341SH

N342GZ

Helipixman

**Helipixman** · 19th July 2015, 19:33

Another mystery Gazelle....

Found this while trawling the net. A Gazelle cab was used in building a truck for the TV Series Highwayman in the late 80s.

It was designed and built by a Jon Ward and the truck is currently owned by HighwaymanInk of Suphur Springs, Texas as a mobile tattoo service.

Zis... know its identity?

Apparently in the film a concealed Gazelle would emerge and fly away from the truck.

Helipixman

**Savoia** · 19th July 2015, 21:12

SAF Gaz .. (South African Gazelles)

SA341G ZS-HUR as seen at Rand Airport South Africa on 6th April 1990 (Photo: Bruce Perkins)

SA341G ZS-HUR as seen at Rand Airport South Africa on 6th April 1990 (Photo: Bruce Perkins)

Haven't yet had a chance to track down the serial number or find out which other registrations this craft has flown under.

**Zishelix** · 19th July 2015, 21:25

ZS-HUR was/is No 1277, HA-LFJ now.

In the meantime she was G-WMAN

At Newtownards in June 2003 (Photo: Paul McAllister)

and YU-MAN

Photo taken at Redhill in April 2007 by Martin Stephen

**md600driver** · 20th July 2015, 02:07

I will ask Anthony Chan myself, as I have just arrived at Oshkosh and will be meeting up with him later this evening or in the morning.

**Savoia** · 20th July 2015, 09:54

Egyptian Gaz

Egyptian Air Force SA342L

Egyptian Air Force Gazelle pilot Ali Mostafa

Egyptian Air Force Gazelle - Cockpit view

**Zishelix** · 20th July 2015, 14:24

Thanks Sav, always interesting to see some "exotic" Gazelles

A sleek painted G-IBNH (exXW853 c/n 1033) spotted few days ago at Norwich International Airport (Photo: Keith Newsome)

-------------------

By the way, speaking of demobbed Navy machines, I wonder if any of you might know identity of the airframe which appeared in this movie. I assume it's an WA.341C because of a pair of UHF antennas under its nose.

Sav, FYI I am about to take my summer vacation and which means I may not be on forum much until mid-August.

**Savoia** · 21st July 2015, 20:17

No sound .. but some nice close-up shots of prototype no. 3, an SA341 cn. 03 registration XW276 as seen at Yeovilton on 5th June 1971:

**Zishelix** · 21st July 2015, 21:09

WOW, what a great footage! Nice finding, Sav

**Savoia** · 22nd July 2015, 10:36

L'armée de terre SA342 'CXB' as seen at Sarajevo Airport on 15th December 1995:

**Savoia** · 22nd July 2015, 17:53

Gaz Fly By ..

**Savoia** · 22nd July 2015, 20:59

SA341D G-CBJZ (cn WA1734) as seen 'somewhere' in France on 7th September 2014 (Photo: Mark Burmarrad)

SA341D G-CBJZ (cn WA1734) as seen 'somewhere' in France on 7th September 2014 (Photo: Mark Burmarrad)

Karl Theurer's former RAF Gazelle (ex-XZ932 and 3D-HGW) as seen in France last year.

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